Should I upgrade my PC or purchase a new one?

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stressless-IT

it is worth upgrading. just make sure the solid state does at least 250MB in and out.

SOLUTION

rbudj

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fov001

If you want to run Windows 7 on your PC, here's what it takes:
-1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor.
-1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit).
-16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit).
- DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver.

Depends on what you will use it for. I recommend buying a new one if you have the budget, this way the new machine is ready/compatible with "future" hardware updates. Also consider that, you will be performing a "clean install" instead of an upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7.

rbudj

oh, sorry, I read your post partially wrong....

I can go to Best Buy and get a new computer with new, updated hardware, Intel Core i series processors, etc for about that price. For the money, I would buy the new computer and then network them together. Here are some currently available: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Desktop-Computers/Towers+Only/pcmcat212600050008.c?id=pcmcat212600050008

Almost any computer running Windows 7 will perform better than your old system when running Windows 7.

I'd buy a new computer because the cost of a windows license, even an OEM copy, is expensive at retail costs.

check out www.deals2buy.com and www.dealcatcher.com for some great deals on new computers. I'm sure you can find something significantly faster that comes with windows 7 for less than a large solid state drive + windows 7.

ASKER

thanks to all for the advice. i would prefer to stay with a small case, as my shuttle pc has. it's approx L x W x H 13" x 9" x 9".

my pc configuration is as follows (per the Everest Ultimate app): note that everest does not provide all data; some is coded as "trial version".

Computer:
Computer Type ACPI Uniprocessor PC
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP3
DirectX 4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c)
Computer Name NES-SHUTTLE-A1

Motherboard:
CPU Type AMD Athlon 64, 2400 MHz 4000+
Motherboard Name Shuttle FN25 (1 PCI-E x1, 1 PCI-E x16, 2 DDR DIMM, Audio, Gigabit LAN, IEEE-1394)
Motherboard Chipset nVIDIA nForce4 Ultra, AMD Hammer
System Memory 2 Gb RAM
BIOS Type Award (06/05/06)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)
Communication Port Printer Port (LPT1)

Display:
Video Adapter ALL-IN-WONDER X600 Series Secondary (256 MB)
Video Adapter ALL-IN-WONDER X600 Series (256 MB)
3D Accelerator ATI Radeon X600 (RV370)
Monitor Dell 1900FP (Analog) [19" LCD] (9J367324AG9N)

Multimedia:
Audio Adapter IC Ensemble Envy24 Audio Controller

Storage:
IDE Controller NVIDIA CK804 Parallel ATA Controller (v2.7)
IDE Controller NVIDIA nForce4 Serial ATA Controller
IDE Controller NVIDIA nForce4 Serial ATA Controller
Floppy Drive Floppy disk drive
Disk Drive Disk drive
Disk Drive Disk drive
Disk Drive ST3250624AS (250 GB, 7200 RPM, SATA-II)
Disk Drive WDC WD740GD-50FLA1 (74 GB, 10000 RPM, SATA)
Optical Drive HP DVD Writer 740b (DVD+R9:8x, DVD-R9:4x, DVD+RW:16x/8x, DVD-RW:16x/6x, DVD-ROM:16x, CD:40x/32x/40x DVD+RW/DVD-RW)
SMART Hard Disks Status Unknown

Partitions:
C: (NTFS) 70GB (30 GB Free)
D: (NTFS) 232.9 GB (210.9 GB free)

Input:
Keyboard Easy Internet Keyboard
Mouse HID-compliant Wheel Mouse

Network:
Primary IP Address [ TRIAL VERSION ]
Primary MAC Address 00-30-1B-B8-32-56
Network Adapter NVIDIA nForce Networking Controller (192. [ TRIAL VERSION ])

Peripherals:
Printer Adobe PDF
Printer HP LaserJet 1200 Series PC
FireWire Controller VIA VT6307 Fire IIM IEEE1394 Host Controller
USB1 Controller nVIDIA nForce4 (CK8-04) - OHCI USB 1.1 Controller
USB2 Controller nVIDIA nForce4 (CK8-04) - EHCI USB 2.0 Controller
USB Device USB Mass Storage Device
USB Device USB Optical WheelMouse

DMI:
DMI BIOS Vendor Phoenix Technologies, LTD
DMI BIOS Version 6.00 PG
DMI System Manufacturer Shuttle Inc
DMI System Product SN25V10
DMI System Version
DMI System Serial Number [ TRIAL VERSION ]
DMI System UUID [ TRIAL VERSION ]
DMI Motherboard Manufacturer Shuttle Inc
DMI Motherboard Product FN25V10
DMI Motherboard Version
DMI Motherboard Serial Number [ TRIAL VERSION ]
DMI Chassis Manufacturer
DMI Chassis Version
DMI Chassis Serial Number [ TRIAL VERSION ]
DMI Chassis Asset Tag [ TRIAL VERSION ]
DMI Chassis Type Desktop Case
DMI Total / Free Memory Sockets 4 / 2

One of my customers just got two new HP computers that have everything but the wireless keyboard built into the LCD monitor housing. Can't get much smaller than that with a full size monitor.

Thomas Turner

Drop the SSD and max out the ram and run Windows 7 X64!!!

SOLUTION

Ravi Agrawal

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Jordanlcn

I like to know what appications you use on your PC? That way we can tell you if its better or not. Upgrading or buying a new PC purely depends on the applications being used. You said your xp is slowing down would you know why?

ASKER

i use my pc for regular pc stuff like email, internet, word, excel, but i would like to get into video editing (with a low level app, not final cut pro) and, most importantly, listening to high level audio using my pc as a type of server. i know i would need a better audio card, possibly a lynx brand. the audio files can be on an external NAS.

again, i like the small form of my current shuttle, and the options are:

OPTION A: upgrade to win7 with a new solid state drive for the windows os, data on a second regular drive, audio files and backed up files on an NAS, possibly add 2 more GB of ram. Estimate $350 to $400.

OPTION B: purchase a new shuttle pc. But if I purchase a new pc, what can I do with my existing pc? Can it be used as an NAS?

rbudj

You can use your old computer as a file server, home theater, print server, domain controller, etc.

abhuvan

It all depends on what applications you are going to run on the PC 'right now' . If it is just some gneral desktop applications your decision on upgradation is OK. But if there is serious work like 3D or CAD or some highend apps, just go for a moderately good PC like AMD X6 processor with 4GB minimum RAM and good graphic or sound card , depends on your requirement and how mch money you can fetch using all the highend stuff.

So it all depends on what you want to do rather than just the price thing. Life is small so dont settle for less if you have more to do.

If you need further help, just let me know what you are going to do from now within a couple of years with the PC.

SOLUTION

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ASKER

thanks for all the comments, although i have received many disparate views. i rather keep my shuttle pc because:
a) it's physically a small form type machine,
b) it seems that my cpu and motherboard specs are not bad given the low intensity of my computer needs,
c) i could buy windows 7 from amazon for $100 and a hybrid seagate HD for another $100. maybe more ram for $50. a $250 investment will give me a computer that should run efficiently for another few years.

i rather NOT buy a new pc because:
a) the cheaper pc options, noted above in various posts, are mostly huge tower-type machines, which is what i do not want,
b) i might have to spend much more than $500 for a good small-form pc.

any opinions?

I never upgrade a working computer that way. But that may be why I have 20 computers of various vintages.

ASKER

what are your general secrets for upgrading working computers, dave? and what you do with a pc like mine? thanks.

SOLUTION

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This is also a really great deal, although it's bigger than the shuttle box (small form factor though):

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?Sku=S445-10118&SRCCODE=LINKSHARE&cm_mmc_o=-ddCjC1bELltzywCjC-d2CjCdwwp&AffiliateID=59JLB7sBj1c-wEqiKAukRbykK687KXD28A

I get my next computer and transfer my work over to it from the old one. I never put a computer that's working down for an upgrade that may or may not work. There are too many things that can go wrong with that process including older programs that won't work on the new operating system.

I also actually have backup drives for all six of my 'work' computers. Which reminds me that I should probably do that again this weekend.

I just use Windows Home Server to automate all the backups of my computers. Wakes them all up at night, does the backup, then they go back to sleep. Never have to touch the thing, it's quite nice. Would make a good use of his old shuttle box too. Just get an OEM copy of WHS and call it good.